After a century of hosting big time events, the Coliseum is known for many things.
The first Super Bowl. A place where JFK and Dr. Martin Luther King spoke. The Olympics.
And sideways rain?
As USC and the Coliseum celebrate the 100th anniversary of “The Greatest Stadium in the World,” Annenberg Media talked to former Trojan football players – linebacker Michael Hutchings, running back Aca’Cedric Ware, and wide receiver De’Quan Hampton – about their best memories from “the Coli.”
Although the three players started at USC in different years, they all played for the historic 2016 USC football team. The team that started the season with a record of 1-3, but rallied to a nine game win streak and brought USC its 25th Rose Bowl win.
Hutchings and Hampton said their favorite memory was the 2016 home game against rivalry Notre Dame. It was a day the Trojans encountered some very un-SoCal weather.
“It was a very live atmosphere,” former wide receiver De’Quan Hampton said. “You know, it’s the rivalry for the [Jeweled] Shillelagh. So we’re playing the game and … it started raining sideways.”
“That was a game where Adoree Jackson went crazy. He had a reception that he took to the crib. He had a punt return to the crib and then that was the same game where he had a kick return to the crib and he hurdled their kicker! The Coli was rocking.”
Some may have been worried about the fans leaving due to the intense rain, but not Hampton.
“They stayed and watched and it was very thrilling to see the whole sideline rocking, jumping up and down, rooting for the defense, and it was definitely one to remember for the books,” Hampton said.
Hutchings added, “we had been on a winning streak and it was the perfect ending to the last home game of the season.”
Aca’Cedric Ware recalled another memory as his favorite: “when I scored my first touchdown ever as a USC Trojan my freshman year. It was like I was a kid again starting over doing what I loved.”
All the players agreed that one of the most unique things about the Coliseum is its lively environment with a rowdy student section that will make itself heard if it is unsatisfied with the performance.
“The atmosphere in the Coliseum was like no other, walking down the tunnel getting ready to step on the field and seeing all the raving fans going crazy. It gave me chills everytime,” said Ware. “The Coli is one of the most electric and historic stadiums I’ve got the chance to shine in,” he added.
Ware said the fans gave him the energy he needed to perform, “especially the student section – there was nothing like it.”
“I’ve experienced different versions of the Coli based on the years we were having as a team,” Hutchings said. “During the 2016 season you experienced a truly electric coliseum weekly, because we were winning.”
Hutchings praised the USC fanbase for its truthfulness, saying “you will know how the team is playing based on the crowd’s energy, and I think it’s completely fair. The standard is the standard at USC.”
Hampton felt the same way, saying “the fanbase in the Coliseum was very picky – AKA bougie – with high expectations, they are not settling for nothing else.
“But let me tell you, when USC is performing how USC is supposed to perform, the Coli is rocking. That joint is jumping, and fans are going bananas.”
When comparing the Coliseum to other stadiums the trio have played in, the history, especially in star-studded the tunnel, is what sets it apart from other powerhouses.
“The coliseum is by far one of my favorite stadiums, and that’s saying a lot because I’ve played in some big time stadiums,” Ware said. He explained that he’s played in NFL stadiums – many Pac-12 stadiums with crazy fan bases – but nothing compared to the feeling he got walking through that tunnel in the Coliseum. “Knowing the history of how many great backs came before me, walking that same path and knowing it was my home stadium. It was a different type of love,” Ware said.
“The Coliseum differs from other stadiums because of the history; other stadiums and teams have loud stadiums and great fanfare, but its the history of the coliseum,” Hutchings said. “Growing up and watching historic performances, national title teams take the field. That’s what you are playing for at the Coli.” he added.
Similar to Ware, Hampton feels a connection to the tunnel, saying “by the time I get out the tunnel, it’s go time. …all the family problems, all the whatever, are gone. Because when I step on this field it’s time.”
“We are about to meet at a godly center destination by the time we get out the end of this tunnel man,” Hampton said.
“You see the lights on, you can see through the curtains, but they can’t see you. They open the curtains and the crowd goes wild, the Coli is rocking and it’s welcoming. The Trojans are here, and it’s popping.”